West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-10-27


been very short, with its supply of hon
esty run low, for I now felt convinced
that the old man was the thief. His
weak brain had reasoned that, by taking
tins cross and selling il in the great
metropolis ho would insure his beloved
grandchiids happincsS--little guessing
the misery his act really cost her. lie
hid h dden the jewel in his belt whether
the belt was TO he found, and, ir so. with
Us contents unmolcsted, was now my
duty TO ascertain. kept my own coin-
sci, arranging that pressing business
should call me back TO Munich the next
day.
Arrived in town, went straight to the
POLICE Bureau to ask if trace could be
found of the old mans clothes, which
had been sold on the appointed day. A
d-harcd young man, with stutter, TO
whom, rs compensation for his physical
defects, agood memory had been granted
arose, and with much difficulty informed
me that the unknown mans entire outfit
had been bought by an old clothes dealer
named Schmier, i'm the Thai Strassc.
repaired there at onte and found the
brecchcs and leather waiStcoat still on
sale, but the blue coat and the precious
belt were gone Did Herr Schmier pos
sibly remember who had bought these
articles!
Yes, Herr Schmicr rccolcctcd rcr-
icctlyi two young artists had bought the
garments IN question "at contemplate
price sir, that would wiring tears from a
stonc.n
"Do you happen to know the address
Of these gentlemcnW | continued.
"Ono Of them, Herr Bossel, has a stu
dio in Roscn Strasse, 30; | don't know
the other. But you can't touch us in any
way sir; came honestly by the clothes,
and can prove it,"
Pray do not distress yourself. sir;
have not the rcmotcst idea of calling
your integrity into question; and | wish
you very good morning.
went to Rosen Strassc 30, and blum.
dc'ing up five flights of dark dirty stairs.
found Herr Bossol busy at work with a
corkscrew, and not far enough advanced
IN his abors TO Ee in good humor
Yes, ,hc had bought that blue coat with
the shells Oh it, Of an old-clo' man, and
he suppose hc might buy as many coats
as nc liked, without strange fellows in
truding upon him TO ask importincnt
quest .ons.
| paciIied the gentleman by telling
him as much Of my story as ! discrcctly
could, emitting all allusions TO the gold
cross
He believed Collins had bought an en-
broidcied belt, but was not quite sure.
lie might be in town still, and he might
bc goac TO the country. One never knew
what fellow would be up TO this beast
iy hot weather.
| sought uut Mr.. Collins only TO find
that he had sold the belt the previous
day to coma lie who was to wear il at
costume dance at Carm SCH
Worry, bnt still undaunted, / bctook
myself per train and diligence TO Gar.
mlsch, and by Macchiaycliln astu.e-
ness got an invitation to the dance at
which Mr Collns's friend was 10 appear.
At last my delighted eyes rested again
upon the old peasants belt, round the
s urdy form OF n Jolly Young rish tourist.
There was no mIst,king those bright
winged harpics in the embroidery and
the curious old silver clasp. could
imagine saw the outline Of the st. An
drcw's cross family silhouctting itself
through the needlcwOik but this was.
OF course, only exaggerated fancy.
How TO get the belt into my possession
would be, feared, thc most difficult
Part OF my tIsk but this turned out 10
bc n very simple matter. over bottle
OF Markgrailer, wc began 10 talk Of the
bet Collins's friend bewailng the fact
that hc had been weak enough 10 spend
money be couldn't spare, to have it for
the bali Collins had asked such big
price, too. Now the dance was nearly
over, He tourist began TO wish he had
not been SO particular about the details
OF his Coetgmc In an OThand indilTer-
ent manner, | said often found such
knickknacks haudy' in my studio at
home, and II lac close 10 part with the
belt, didn't mind taking il for the
price he paid Collins.
The tourist seized upon my offer with
delight and my feelings when, after the
bal, ] retired 10 nay room with the belt.
my lawful property. can be more easily
imagined than described.
How eagerly l tore open the stitches
80 rcatly taken by the dutiful Enkal
The belt was waldcd and lined. Tim.
with the tmbrOiGcrv, IL was about half
an inch thick felt no hard substance
Inside, nor did anything fall out when
shook IT, A horrible fear SEIZED upon
me lest, after al. J WIS mistaken. But
t'f Nhn IAlif itEut lN INV hNNl luf.UNh.
Under The body Of the fattcst hlrpy. held
in pl CO by bit of wax, aud wei COW
cred by waddiug, lay an antique gold
Gro 3 with superb diamond sunk deep
%. iho jun"t on Of the bars. The crafty
od % an had secured his booty well.
As had never in my life disobcycd
command Of Dorothy'e, 10 did not seem
10 me in The least surprising that was
able 10 execute this last one Of hers to
fctcuc Erika from prison. There wee
great re oicings at Lcrchcnfcld. the we'd
ding The fair prisoner with her beloved
Basil among them A purse bad been
made up for her, and thc prudent Basil
might bc well satisfied with his brides
suddenly acquired dOwry
My mission oycr ] returned Go the
Pension Naifcld "and ZOO thcautumn its
proprictrcss is going 10 marry mc I
could see no way ont Of such an arrange
ment; and She IS really nice little
woman. after nll - FyaHk LlJifs.
The Latest Idea Of Dudes.
The latest idca imported into dude.
dom is tO wear two side chains instead OF